Now, as federal investigations of possible regulatory and accounting violations related to options backdating have expanded to include more than 80 companies.

The official also said that the investigation had not largely expanded beyond the three men.

The investigation has expanded with five additional defendants being charged, including a consultant who allegedly received more than $5 million illegal kickbacks on the projects.

The investigation has since expanded with interviews reported in other ridings.

But in recent days, the investigation has expanded well beyond one transaction, said the two people briefed on the matter.

Southern said that the investigation had expanded to include political contributions and that "the full scope of the investigation is not currently known."

The investigation of stock trading based on information in Business Week expanded to at least six brokerage firms.

He said his investigation "has expanded considerably and the end is not yet in sight."

Our investigations are expanding from these people to their companions.

The investigations have expanded to include nine teams.